NBA Season Starts with Thunder Eyeing Repeat and Gilgeous-Alexander’s Leap

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. — The NBA season is set to begin, with teams focused on winning the Larry O’Brien Trophy. Currently, that trophy is in the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder, led by star guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who aims to follow up his spectacular 2024-25 campaign.

Last season, Gilgeous-Alexander earned the Most Valuable Player award, made the All-NBA First Team, and was named Finals MVP. He also took home the Best Male Athlete ESPY award. As he prepares for the new season, Gilgeous-Alexander is looking to improve even further, showcasing his evolving playmaking skills during the preseason.

The Canadian guard entered the league as a promising combo guard known for his scoring and defensive abilities. Historically, Gilgeous-Alexander played primarily as a shooting guard but shifted his role to full-time point guard last season, according to Basketball Reference’s position estimates.

During his early years, he shared the court with veteran point guards like Patrick Beverly, Chris Paul, and George Hill. It wasn’t until the 2020-21 season, when Hill was sidelined due to injury and later traded, that Gilgeous-Alexander began to establish himself as a full-time point guard.

Last season marked his breakout year, despite having to miss games due to plantar fasciitis. Since he embraced his role as a point guard, he has steadily improved his playmaking abilities. What began as a tendency to struggle with tunnel vision has transformed into a keen awareness of when to pass or score.

In addition to leading the league in scoring and field goal attempts, Gilgeous-Alexander demonstrated strong playmaking skills, especially noticeable in the playoffs. His performances in high-pressure moments included 10 assists in Game 5 and 12 assists in Game 7 of the NBA Finals, showcasing his ability to find openings and draw defenses.

During the preseason, he continued to impress, averaging 5.3 assists across three games while playing only 19 minutes per game. His proficiency in running the pick-and-roll created numerous scoring opportunities for his teammates, enhancing his overall game.

If Gilgeous-Alexander continues to uplift his playmaking abilities, he positions himself as a strong contender for another MVP award this season.